Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!-Chapter 132: The Most Ideal Reward

Cassius's words had just begun to settle over the knights, their chests swelling with pride and a newfound warmth toward their unexpected master, when he shifted gears with a casual grin.

"And as thanks for all your years of service." He said, his voice carrying that same earnest tone. "I want to give you a little reward."

The air shifted instantly.

Julie's stomach dropped, a frown creasing her brow as she caught the subtle stiffening of Aisha's tail beside her. Skadi's excited scribbling paused, her silver eyes narrowing slightly.

Across the ranks, the knights smiles faltered, replaced by wary glances and faint scowls.

A reward...The word hung like a lead weight, souring the mood as whispers rippled through the group.

They'd heard this song before—nobles loved to toss out "rewards" usually glittering handfuls of gold or gaudy jewelry, as if that could sum up their blood and sweat.

It wasn't gratitude; it was a transaction, a cheap pat on the head that cheapened everything they stood for.

They weren't here for coin. They fought for their homes, their people, the lives they'd sworn to shield—not for some noble's purse strings. Every time a lord dangled gold in their faces, especially the Patriarch with his smug, dismissive handouts, it stung.

They'd take it, sure, but it left a bitter taste, a reminder that to men like him, they were just hired blades, not protectors.

Julie's heart sank as she watched the knights' expressions harden, their earlier warmth teetering on the edge of resentment. She'd seen this fracture before, the unrest it bred, and she didn't want Cassius to stumble into that same pit—not when he'd just started to win them over.

Her lips parted, ready to step in and steer him away from the humiliation she feared was coming.

But before she could utter a word, Cassius surprised her yet again. He waved a hand dismissively, his grin widening as if he'd sensed the shift.

"We can talk rewards later." He said breezily, then paused, his gaze sweeping over the silent ranks. "First, though—tell me something. Do you all like to drink?"

The question landed like a pebble in a still pond, ripples of confusion spreading through the knights. Julie blinked, caught off guard, while Aisha's ears twitched in bemusement.

The knights exchanged puzzled looks—no one answered, the silence stretching awkwardly as they tried to figure out where this was going.

Cassius cocked his head, his smile turning playful.

"Come on now, don't be shy." He called, raising his voice. "Do you like to drink? Be honest—really honest! From the looks on your faces, I'm starting to think no one here's ever touched a drop!"

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He chuckled, folding his arms as he scanned the crowd, his tone light but edged with a challenge.

A beat passed, then one knight—a woman with a red hair shrugged and piped up. "Well, yeah, of course I do! Who doesn't?"

Another, a taller figure with a braid slung over her shoulder, nodded. "Aye, love a good ale after a fight—keeps the blood pumping!"

"Me too!" A third added, her voice tentative but growing bolder. "Can't sleep without a mug of something strong!"

One by one, the affirmations trickled in, hesitant at first, then building as Cassius's genuine curiosity broke through their wariness.

"Yes!"

"Hell yeah!"

"Love it!"

The voices overlapped, a chorus of agreement rising from the ranks as they relaxed, grins creeping back onto their faces.

Cassius cupped a hand to his ear, his grin turning downright mischievous.

"What's that? I can't hear you! Where's the fire in your voices? Come on, let me hear it—how much do you love to drink? Shout it like you mean it!"

The knights caught the spark, their excitement igniting as they fed off his energy.

"We love it!" One bellowed, fists pumping the air.

"Can't live without it!" Another roared, her voice cracking with enthusiasm.

"Give me a barrel and I'll drink 'til dawn!"

A third hollered, and soon the whole group was shouting, their voices overlapping in a chaotic, joyous cacophony.

"Love it!"

"Need it!"

"Best damn thing after a brawl!"

They laughed and cheered, caught up in the sudden, absurd hype, their earlier tension dissolving into the thrill of the moment.

Cassius let it build, his eyes gleaming as he watched them, then raised a hand to quiet the din.

"Good." He said firmly, his tone cutting through the noise with a satisfied edge. "That's real good—because I was planning to build you a little tavern. Unlimited ale, mead, wine—whatever you want—plus food to go with it, all for you to kick back and enjoy after a hard day."

"...And it would be a shame if none of you liked to drink after building such a site for you!"

For a heartbeat, the grounds fell dead silent, the knights frozen as his words sank in. Julie's jaw dropped slightly, Aisha's tail went still, and even Skadi's ears perked straight up.

Then, like a dam bursting, the crowd exploded.

"A tavern?!" One knight shrieked, her voice pitching high with disbelief.

"Unlimited booze?!" Another yelled, grabbing the woman next to her in a bear hug.

"Food too? He's a bloody saint!"

A third cried, and chaos erupted as the knights turned to each other, shouting and whooping, their excitement spilling over.

Some hugged, others jumped up and down, and a few even started chanting, "Cassius! Cassius!" like he'd just handed them the keys to paradise.

"He's serious?!" One knight gasped, clutching her friend's arm. "A whole tavern just for us? I'm gonna live there!"

"Unlimited ale? I'll never leave!" Another laughed, pretending to swoon as the group buzzed around her.

"Master's the best damn noble I've ever met!"

Cassius held up a hand again, his grin widening as he rode the wave of their enthusiasm.

"And that's not all!" He called over the din, his voice cutting through like a blade. "I'm throwing in board games—chess, dice, whatever you fancy—plus some physical stuff like volleyball, archery targets, maybe a wrestling ring if you're feeling rowdy."

"...It'll be a proper clubhouse for you lot, a place to unwind after you've been out there. You deserve it!"

The knights went wild, their cheers doubling as the vision took shape.

"Volleyball?!" One shouted, pumping her fist. "I'll smash you all!"

"Board games? My son's gonna be jealous I'm never home!" Another cackled.

"A wrestling ring? I'm calling dibs on first match!"

A third bellowed, and the group dissolved into a flurry of hugs, high—fives, and giddy plans.

Skadi, caught up in the fervor, bounced on her heels, her silver eyes shining as she turned to Julie and Aisha.

"Master's amazing!" She exclaimed, clutching her notes like a trophy. "A tavern and games? He's the best!"

Julie and Aisha stood there, watching the chaos unfold, their dismay at the knights' antics melting into quiet awe.

Julie's lips parted, her earlier worry replaced by a grudging respect as she took in Cassius's easy command of the crowd.

"He...He knew." She murmured, almost to herself. "Gold or jewels would've turned them against him, it would've made them feel like mercenaries...But this?" She gestured at the jubilant knights, some now miming volleyball spikes in the air. "This is perfect...They'll love him for it."

Aisha nodded, her tail flicking as she crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Yeah, Captain, gotta hand it to him—he's smarter than he looks. Lustful or not, he's got them eating out of his hand. A tavern? Free food and alcohol? That's their dream reward, and he damn well knew it." She glanced at Cassius, her eyes glinting with reluctant admiration. "Keeps them happy and loyal...Sneaky bastard."

Cassius stood there, his arms crossed, a satisfied gleam in his dark eyes as he surveyed the knights, their cheers still echoing faintly across the grounds. He then let the moment linger, then raised a hand, his grin softening into something more deliberate.

"There's one more part to this reward." He said, his voice carrying a quiet weight that drew every gaze back to him.

The knights perked up, curiosity flickering through their ranks, though a ripple of playful skepticism followed.

One of them, a rather mischevious knight called out.

"What, you gonna throw in some chiseled lads to serve us drinks in skimpy clothes at the tavern?"

Her jest sparked a wave of chuckles, the knights nudging each other with easy laughter, their comfort with Cassius shining through in the casual tease.

Even Julie's lips twitched, and Aisha snorted beside her, her tail flicking in amusement.

Cassius laughed, a rich, rolling sound that mingled with theirs.

"Tempting, but no—sorry to disappoint." He replied, his grin widening as he shook his head.

Then his expression softened, his gaze turning gentle, almost reverent, as he looked out at them.

"This part's about the children...Your beloved children."

The laughter died down instantly, replaced by a hush of seriousness. The knights straightened, their faces tightening with focus.

Children—their own, their siblings, their kin—were the beating heart of their lives, the reason they fought, bled, and endured. Mentioning them wasn't a jest; it was sacred ground, and they couldn't help but lean in, their breaths held as Cassius continued.

"I know you're more than just knights." He said, his voice steady and warm. "Before you were warriors, before you were anything else, many of you were mothers—or you will be someday."

"And every mother, every family, wants one thing above all: to protect their kids, to give them the best life possible, a chance to thrive...I see that in you—hell, I feel it standing here."

"...So, as thanks for your loyal service, I'm making sure that happens..."

"...Every child in your families—yours, your siblings will get a full education at a noble school. Free of cost, no strings, no hassle. They'll learn under the Holyfield name, same as any noble brat, with all the doors that opens."

The words hung in the air, heavy with promise, and for a long moment, the knights didn't react.

No cheers, no shouts—just stunned silence as the weight of what he'd said sank in.

Julie's breath caught, her eyes widening as she processed it, while the knights stared, their mouths agape, as if they couldn't quite believe their ears.

This wasn't gold or trinkets—this was a dream they'd never dared voice, a gift so profound it left them reeling.

See, they were commoners at their core, no matter how noble their deeds or how high they'd climbed. Their armor and blades earned them respect, but the gates of noble schools—buildings of privilege and power—remained stubbornly shut to their kind.

Getting a child in was a pipe dream, a grueling uphill battle of bribes, favors, and luck, and even then, the cost was crushing.

Every mother among them had lain awake at night, picturing their little ones with books and tutors, a future beyond the mud and toil of their own lives, only to wake to the cold reality that it'd never happen.

But now, Cassius was handing it to them—free, effortless, under his name.

It was staggering, a kindness so rare it felt almost holy.